Defending champions and surprise package lead women's IFAF Asia-Oceania flag football competition
- IFAF Media
- Oct 24
- 5 min read
Japan opened their defense of the IFAF Asia-Oceania flag football crown with a perfect start by beating China and Indonesia in Group A.
The region’s top-ranked team, sitting third in the IFAF world rankings, avenged a loss to host China at The World Games in August with a 33-18 victory on the first of three days of competition at the Fenghua Sports Center in Ningbo.
“I think we played well,” said Japan wide receiver Yurika Omi. “At the last tournament we lost to China, so we really practiced to be able to beat them. We won today and our goal is to be the champions in this tournament.”
Ranked joint 31st in the world, the Philippines sits on top of Group B having beaten Malaysia (23rd), Korea (22nd) and newcomers Jordan to post a 3-0 record at the end of Friday’s play.
Once the group stages conclude on Saturday, the top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals later in the day.
Group C featuring the three Oceania nations is a close affair with all three teams having won once and lost once in their round robin series. The teams meet again on Saturday to determine the group winner and qualifier for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Germany.
Group A
China bounced back from that opening loss to Japan with by scoring 41 unanswered points in a convincing win over Hong Kong, China, then beat Indonesia 40-20 to claim second place in the group. China now has an eye on the semi-finals with Thailand (1-1) and Indonesia (2-1) still in the running.
“We’ve been doing pretty well on the defense but for offence, there’s a lot to work on because our opponent is reacting really fast to what our play is,” said wide receiver Tan Minhua of Hong Kong, China who are looking for a first win. “This is our first time in history on this stage, so I hope that that us being here can encourage more girls in Hong Kong to play the sport – and not just this sport, all the sports. I hope that girls can pursue their dreams and try to do what they want to do.”
Results
Japan 33, China 18
Indonesia 33, Thailand 24
Japan 56, Indonesia 35
China 41, Hong Kong, China 0
Thailand 14, Hong Kong, China 6
China 40, Indonesia 20
Standings
Japan 2-0
China 2-1
Thailand 1-1
Indonesia 1-2
Hong Kong, China 0-2
While the Philippines has raced to an unbeaten 3-0 start in Group B, there is all to play for in terms of a second-place group finish to claim a semifinals berth. Fourth placed finisher two years ago as the host nation, Malaysia stands at 1-1, as does Korea.
Playing in IFAF competition for the first time on the international stage, Jordan (2-1) recovered from a loss to Korea by beating India 26-12.
“It feels amazing,” said center Wajd Hattar. “Jordan is making history. This is our first ever participating on such a platform. And it’s only up from here.
“The key to our success is not being down when something bad happens and something bad always happens. We were able to keep ourselves together and to pull ourselves up.”
Results
Philippines 19, Malaysia 12
Korea 25, Jordan 12
Jordan 26, India 12
Philippines 35, Korea 6
Jordan 28, Philippines 0
Malaysia 34, India 12
Standings
Philippines 3-0
Malaysia 1-1
Korea 1-1
Jordan 1-2
India 0-2
The three Oceania teams competing in Group C include American Samoa, making its debut in IFAF competition. The newcomers opened with a 38-12 loss to 2023 runners up Australia but bounced back to beat bronze medalists from two years ago New Zealand 21-12.
“We have a team that is not afraid to play,” said American Samoa quarterback Noella Keresoma. “We’re having fun. I love the competition and the mentality of our athletes and we just keep playing.
“It means so much to have so many teams, particularly women’s, representing their countries, so many different nationalities. Culture is very important to us and all Polynesians are very proud of where they come from and I don’t know if I even have the right words for it; it’s amazing! It’s a once in a lifetime. I just want to make it a platform along with the other ladies with me. We just want to bring exposure to the sport, to the world of flag football.”
New Zealand ensured the second day of group action will be a nerve-wracking one by edging Australia 13-12 with the three nations now separated by points differential.
“It’s zero-zero until tomorrow,” said American Samoa’s quarterback Keresoma.
Results
Australia 38, American Samoa 12
American Samoa 21, New Zealand 12
New Zealand 13, Australia 12
Standings
Australia 1-1
New Zealand 1-1
American Samoa 1-1
Meanwhile, in the men's division Australia and China lead the way.
American Samoa made an immediate impact with an opening game win over 2023 silver medalists New Zealand at the 2025 IFAF Asia-Oceania flag football championships at the Fenghua Sports Center in Ningbo, China.
Making their debut, American Samoa triumphed 40-35 but it is 2-0 Australia, fourth place finishers two years ago, who top Group E heading onto Saturday’s games which will determine which Oceania team advances to the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Germany.
IFAF tournament newcomers and host China beat the region’s second-ranked nation Kuwait 33-12 and currently top Group B. The teams that finish first and second in the group standings on Saturday will advance to the quarterfinals later in the day.
“It’s a very exciting day,” said China wide receiver Jun Yao. “I think our plan is working good so we’ll keep doing that and keep winning.
“We would like to play better for the nation and we see lots of audience here. Everybody is excited about this game. I think, after this game, flag football will develop better in China. We have only one goal: the championship.”
In Group A the top ranked team in Asia-Oceania and standing 10th in the IFAF World Rankings, bronze medal winner from two years ago Japan saw off newcomer Hong Kong, China 47-20 in their opening game. The Philippines also beat Hong Kong, China to set up a group decider when they meet Japan at 10.30am on Saturday.
Results
Japan 47, Hong Kong, China 20
Philippines 39, Hong Kong, China 19
Standings
Japan 1-0
Philippines 1-0
Hong Kong 0-2
China is assured of a place in the last eight with two wins in Group B, while Kuwait and India will battle for the runners up spot in Group B and a quarterfinal berth at 10.30am on Saturday.
Results
China 33, Kuwait 12
China 43, India 6
Standings
China 2-0
Kuwait 0-1
India 0-1
In Group C, the competition’s two-team group, Indonesia cruised past Korea 48-7 and the teams meet again on Saturday to determine their order of finish and quarterfinal placement.
Results
Indonesia 48, Korea 7
Standings
Indonesia 1-0
Korea 0-1
Defending champion Thailand fired a warning shot to the rest of the competing nations in Group D with a convincing 55-point shutout of newcomers Jordan. Singapore edged the debutants 44-33 to set up a battle to win the group when they face Thailand on Saturday.
Results
Singapore 44, Jordan 33
Thailand 50, Jordan 0
Standings
Thailand 1-0
Singapore 1-0
Jordan 0-2
Australia has dominated Group E so far with high-scoring wins over American Samoa and 2023 bronze medalists New Zealand but the group remains wide open as all three teams meet again on Saturday. American Samoa shocked the Kiwis with a first-ever win IFAF international competition.
Results
American Samoa 40, New Zealand 35
Australia 41, American Samoa 12
Australia 57, New Zealand 25
Standings
Australia 2-0
American Samoa 1-1
New Zealand 0-2
Comments